A MARRIAGE of CONVENIENCE

Kumara Times, Issue 412, 21 January 1878, Page 4

A MARRIAGE of CONVENIENCE

Mr F. J. De Lisle, M.D., writes to 'the Hawkesßay Herald the following description of the system which isiu i some cases adopted in the selection of immigrants for New Zealand :—The following will show how utterly unscrupulous some boards of guardians are in their actions when saving parish I money is their end. In the workhouse in one-oi the Channel Islands was a 'widow with four or five shildren, aged .from 14 downwards; outside the workhouse was a widower with about the : same number of Children. As he was unable to work, he was allowed a small weekly sum from the parish to assist himto-pay some one to look after them. These two families being a tax upon the parish, it was deemed expedient to ■ emigrate them; but there was adiffi•culty—widows or widowers with children could not go as Government emigrants, and the parish would not,pay for a steerage passage; so the two were brought before the board and, having expressed their willingness to emigrate, •were coolly asked if they would marry •eachother.to facilitate matters. The ;man agreed, adding, " She'll do for the rvoyage;" and the woman added her •acquiescence, "When I get % New .'Zealand, if I don't "like, you, I can get -•some one else." The recfor, who was a member qf the board ancfrpresent at the ttime, at once gave them a license. They went \q the church! under -Charge •of .a constable, and united "bonds of Jiolyr, #p& Jhe aiext •day packed off to This-case •came-; upder ; my own observation. I ,was present in the boarjl-rbom 'when the people were brought in; and 3f this should meet the eye of the couple alluded to, who are, or were a short time =ago, in Napier, they will recognise the ttalcas true in every particular.